Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The sun poked its head out this morning. That's how I feel about life right now. Some brightness has set in. Pockets of light.

I'll have more to report on later today. It's only about 10:00 am as of now.

In the meantime, I just wanted to wish you all a joyful New Year. I truly hope 2009 will help bring us all closer to our goals. I'll keep trying to better myself and to be a supportive member of our community - just as you have all been to me. :-) Thank you one and all.

Wednesday - December 31, 2008

10:00 am

+ a cup of coffee with a splash of half-and-half

11:00 am

+ two sunny-side up eggs and a few spoonfuls of my wife's scrambled eggs

+ several slices of bacon

+ two chicken sausages

+ 1/2 of an herb-roasted tomato

2:30 pm

+ spicy prawns (shared)

+ hot bowl of seafood in cream-base (shared)

+ a glass of red wine (Shiraz)

5:00 pm

+ half-cup of coffee with a splash of half-and-half and a little Splenda

8:00 pm (pictures to come)

+ oysters on a half-shell with garlic spinach and topped with melted Asiago cheese (shared)

+ halibut and shrimp "salad" (shared)

+ grilled salmon with asparagus (shared)

+ leg of lamb with and Indian sauce (not sweet) and broccoli florets (shared)

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Have many of you traveled while LCing? It's a bit of a challenge. At least, I'm finding it to be so.

It's a rare meal that I can order straight off a menu. I've been doing my best to mix-and-match menu items. Making substitutions has been invaluable in that regard. Questions often need to be asked. A title on a menu doesn't always paint an accurate picture.

The absolute truth is that it's considerably harder, for me at least, to stick to an LC lifestyle with the relative uncertainty of being away from home. But, if you've been following my menus, you'll see that I haven't fallen off of the wagon. I have no idea what my weight will look like when I get back home. But, I'm fairly confident that I won't feel the need to hate on myself for having strayed too far from my menu-goals.

The key for me right now is to try and not let food be so important. I just make the best choices I can and I accept that it may require more effort and provide less satisfaction than it used to (when I was speeding my way to an early grave). This is a reality in my life. Maybe one day I will perceive it differently.

Tuesday - December 30, 2008

11:15 am

+ three sunny-side up eggs, a few slices of bacon, chicken sausage and Canadian bacon (bacon back)

+ a cup of coffee with splash of cream

3:30 pm(pictured above)

+ a sort of Caesars salad - romaine lettuce, grated Parmesan, not much dressing and topped with a few slices of prosciutto

What a day! Our flight from Vancouver to Vancouver Island (Tofino, to be exact) was canceled due to poor weather conditions - rain, snow, wind, poor visibility, etc.

So, our little airline arranged for us to take a limo to the ferry. The ferry took us to Vancouver Island. From there, a valiant driver guided us through icy roads, a snow storm and alternating rain and heavy fog. In the end, we made it to our destination ... very late at night.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

There's snow piled high everywhere! It's unusual for Vancouver. Our cabbie, a 37 year Vancouver resident, says he's never seen it this white here. This is the type of weather we never really get in Southern California.

So far, I've been able to make fairly decent LC choices. I think my menus will also improve once we make it to Vancouver Island.

Friday, December 26, 2008

I didn't get a chance to post my weight yesterday. So, I'm going to do that below.

note: And so it seems that I've lost almost another pound this passed week. I'm good with that. I hope to be in this for the long-term - learning along the way and making adjustments where needed.

We're heading off for a little R&R for the next week or so. I plan on continuing to post daily (barring any technical complications). But, my next weigh-in will probably be when we get back home. Or maybe they'll have a good scale where we'll be staying? Ah, the thought-processes of a LC blogger ...

note: I was a bit lite in the food department today. We had a lot to do to get ready for the trip. So, food had to take a back seat. I don't eat on the run very well.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

It's Christmas Eve. Last minute details and planning are keeping us occupied and then some. I'm sure many of you can relate.

Menu-wise, we're trying to eat everything that would otherwise go bad while we're away on holiday.

This weekend we'll depart for a trip to Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver. It should be a beautiful, restful and re-energizing week of storm-watching and bonding with nature.

So far, I've managed to stay pretty much "on program" this holiday season. I'll know more about the results, of my passed week, tomorrow morning. Regardless of my scale-reading, I'm satisfied that I've not fallen off the wagon. The number on the scale will just help me to make any necessary adjustments - to what I'm already doing.

I hope you're all finding some joy and satisfaction as the holidays march on. I send you all my best wishes.

Wednesday - December 24, 2008

10:30 am

+ a cup of instant coffee with heavy cream and a packet of stevia + FOS

Monday, December 22, 2008

The busier I get ... the less food becomes an issue ... if I plan. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole planning business. We have our home stocked with plenty of LC options. The only real issue is when we're out and about. And so far, that's worked out okay.

The key is not to panic - for me at least. Just make the best decision based on the current circumstances and make the optimal decisions when I have control over my menu.

I haven't been exercising much lately. But I have been moving around a lot. I know it's not the same. Though I wonder if it'll result in similar results at the scale. I'll know soon enough.

I hope you're all making your way through the holiday blitz well.

Jingle bells.

Monday - December 22, 2008

10:00 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. He's a wonderful guy and we're going to take him and as his wife out for dinner. There's a new Scandinavian restaurant that we'll be trying out. I do believe that'll be a first for me. I'll report back with pictures later.

-----------update: The birthday dinner was sensational. The food was delicious. The company couldn't have been better.

I ate a lot. But my food choices were pretty LC. I didn't eat any off program foods. At the same time, I felt as though I was having a feast. Lots of variety and no feeling of deprivation.-----------

I just found out some really exciting news. Really, really, really exciting news! It looks like I'm going to be a guest on Jimmy Moore's podcast show! Are you shocked? I am!

It turns out that my LC buddy Vadim expressed his desire for Jimmy to have me on as a guest. He must have made a heck of a pitch because I e-mailed Jimmy about it and to make a long story short ... it appears that it's going to happen! I just can't believe it!

How in the world did you manage this Vadim? :) Thanks a lot, Mr. V. What a fantastic opportunity. And, it certainly wouldn't have happened without your support, encouragement and advocacy!

At first, I panicked and thought, "What in the world am I going to talk about?" But after discussing it over with my wife and thinking it through, I decided that I'd like to give it a shot. I think we all have something of value to share and I've got some specific things that I'd like to talk to Jimmy about. I even have a few surprises in store for anyone who cares to listen.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The One and Only In-n-Out Double Double ("Animal Style"/"Protein Style")

I did it! I made it through a really hard couple of weeks without cracking! No binging. No slip-ups. No self-sabotage!

Today marked my official last day on my current job. Overall, I'm happy about that. I have some concerns about the future but I'm feeling stronger than I have in ages. It's time for a change. A bigger change, in a smaller body!

I varied up today's menu a bit. I handled spicing up lunch myself and my lovely wife brought home an incredibly delicious dinner. A reward for a hard week's battle.

Friday - December 19, 2008

7:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The holiday/farewell lunch was stressful and uncomfortable but well-intentioned and not without it's high-points. As you'll see, I opted not to eat anything at the event. I know that probably sounds strange. But, we met at an arts-and-crafts kind of place called, "Color Me Mine". The whole concept behind this place is that you pick out an unadorned, un-glazed piece of pottery and you paint it. Then, you leave the painted pottery there. They glaze it in their commercial oven and you pick it up several days later.

Anyhow, as you can tell, there were other things going on besides the food. The food was pretty much an after-thought. My colleagues ordered from a local deli and ate while they painted. I just couldn't stomach that. I was too stressed to pick apart deli food at my painting station. So, I just had a coffee, with half-and-half, prior to the lunch and in the afternoon. Truth be told, there was so much going on I didn't really miss eating that much. In fact, as you will see, I didn't even eat much right when I arrived home. I just wanted to make some hearty soup and breathe a little.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

There are two days to go before work ends for the year. It'll be a hectic two days. But, just two more days nonetheless.

Tomorrow I'll face an emotional department lunch. I don't know where we're eating but I'll do the best I can.

The lunch will likely be emotional for three reasons. A) My boss is undergoing chemotherapy. B) One of my colleagues may not be able to attend due to illness. She's been out with severe, chronic headaches for a few months now. C) Friday will be my final day at this position. I've been working with some of these people for almost five years.

Needless to say, I've been trying to tie up a lot of loose ends. That's my current circumstance. I hope it all turns out well enough.

10:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and one packet of Also Salt)

Sunday, December 14, 2008

I tried to expand my horizons a bit today. To do so, I popped in an exercise DVD that contained a guided Chi-Gong session. It was interesting. I was left with two impressions after my session was complete.

#1 - I'm glad no one was here to see me perform these moves. I can only imagine how ridiculous I looked. Whatever the opposite of graceful is ... that's what I was.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Wish me luck. Tonight is our office Christmas party! I'll let you know how it went later tonight ...

Update 10:45 pm - I'm back home now. I just had a satisfying LC snack and I'm ready to proclaim ... I did not succumb to the temptation of pepperoni pizza, free soda & spirits and crouton-laden Caesar salad! Hooray!

What I did do is prepare ahead of time. I brought a hearty dinner to have prior to going to the bowling alley for the party. I ate my LC dinner, drank my nutritional supplements and then departed for an evening of knocking down bowling pins with my colleagues.

I had thought that I might enjoy a drink or two, to mellow myself out. But, it seemed like the only thing on tap was beer and mixed-drinks. I'm not a beer or mixed-drink kind of guy. Red wine's my game. So, I just stuck with bottled-water.

All told, not a bad evening. I got some exercise (bowling). I hung out with some cool people and I "stuck to my guns".

I'll chalk this up as a victory.

Tuesday - December 9, 2008

7:15 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, a packet of stevia + FOS and a packet of Also Salt)

Saturday, December 6, 2008

It's Saturday and I'm working from home. I've recently started a new project. It involves writing about natural health on the Internet. This has been an interest of mine for many years and I've dabbled in and around the natural health industry for most of life - both professionally and personally.

The two things I've always been drawn too are a) films and b) alternative medicine. I've had the good fortune of having the opportunity to work in both fields. But, I'd always hoped to find a way to be able to do both things at once. In the past, I've had limited success in marrying these two interests. But, for whatever reason, an opportunity recently presented itself and I took it.

So now I find myself trying to manage two Internet projects. This is a big change. And it's quite a bit of work. But, I think that's part of what's helped me to stay on a healthier path. I just don't have the time to mess around with unimportant things anymore. Less TV. Less unfocused Internet surfing. A lot less daydreaming. A lot more living.

I want to thank you all for your part in this new life. Reading your blogs and seeing your effort and your struggles helps me to try to be strong. Knowing that some of you are reading what I write and are interested in my choices and my successes and failures also helps to keep me going.

As part of my on-going commitment to change for the better, I plan on taking a walk this afternoon. The weather here is beyond beautiful. It's in the low-70's, if you can believe it! We call this Winter here in Southern California.

I think that's all for now. Y'all be well.

Saturday - December 6, 2008

10:00 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and a few ounces of half-and-half)

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I'm feeling quite optimistic today. That doesn't happen very often. But, when it does, it's always a scary place for me. My irrational sense of superstition often rears it's ugly head whenever I start to feel too good about life.

And, while that may generally be a bad thing, I think it may also serve a purpose. The superstitious element is nonsense of course. But, slowing down and proceeding with caution isn't necessarily a bad move.

Let's get down to brass-tacks: My journey is in it's infancy. The small gains that I've made are something to be thankful for but there is yet much to do - in terms of my diet, weight and overall health, my psychological and spiritual status and just getting my life in order in general.

So, I'm here today simply saying this: I'm feeling better than I have in quite some time. I know that the recent changes that I've made have contributed to this. The improvements in my diet. The menu-blogging. The support of my wife and family. They're all pieces of a greater puzzle than just the low-carb story. It's a part of larger landscape that makes up my life. And, I feel like I'm inching closer to a better existence for myself and those whose lives I affect.

Nobody wake me up. :-)

Wednesday - December 3, 2008

10:30 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and a few tablespoons of heavy cream)

* I had an allergic reaction to this, I do believe. I've had it many times before without incident. Not sure why that happened. I look funny enough without the red blotches on my face. God must have a sense of humor. :-)

4:30 pm

+ a large, iced coffee Americano with a few ounces of half-and-half

7:00 pm

+ approx. 6 oz. of sliced leg of lamb

+ half-cup of homemade creamed spinach

+ quarter-cup of homemade mashed cauliflower

10:15 pm (pictured above)

+ one Roma tomato (sliced)

+ three (+ one) slices of prosciutto (I had an extra slice after the photo shoot)

Monday, December 1, 2008

Some people refer to the day that's past as Monday. For me, a more fitting name would be "D-Day". The D would represent "dentist".

I can't think of any other place where we actually pay that much money to get tortured! I feel like a boxer. Too bad I don't look like one - from the neck down.

The ironic thing is that my dentist and her assistant are really sweet. Not sweet when it comes to billing. But, kind while they're engaging in the sadism between my nose and chin.

Anyhow, enough with the (attempts at) dental humor. So far, as of 5:15 pm or so, I've been doing just fine. But, of note, I've had some obsessive thoughts creep into my cranium.

Confession-time: Many moons ago, I actually had an eating disorder called "anorexia nervosa". You might find it ironic that, back then, I was actually trying to starve myself to death. Oh how the times have changed.

Part of that disease/condition involves an obsessive-relationship with food. So, today I noticed that I was having some obsessive thoughts about planning my meals. How will I make sure to eat enough vegetables? Am I harming myself by not eating enough fresh foods? How can I make sure our shared meals are acceptable to my wife and still on-program for me? Etc., etc., etc.

I think some of this is coming up because my free-time is becoming scarcer. I've taken on a new work-related project, that I'm excited about, but that will also require mental energy and time. I'm determined to stick with this new menu-blog and my new commitment to health - which are both healthy and rewarding but also time-consuming and mentally-demanding.

So, for now, the only way I can figure out to deal with these thoughts is just to keep things simple. I just have to tell myself that I'll stay on-program no matter what. I'll try to plan ahead better. I'll try to plan my menus for the upcoming days ... instead of leaving things up in the air. This is naturally kind of a drag. I'd like to think I can make things up as I go. And, maybe in some instances, I can. But, ultimately what's most important is that I set myself up for success. Planning ahead, I think, may be an invaluable tool to achieving that end.

Thanks for reading this rather lengthy blog, folks. I hope that my sharing will somehow be of use to someone out there.

Monday - December 1, 2008

9:45 am

+ one cup of "choco-coffee" - (two tablespoons of pure cocoa, one teaspoon of instant coffee, one packet of stevia + FOS and a dash of half-and-half)

10:45 am

+ 5 turkey and tomato "tacos" - (5 turkey slices with a dollop of sour cream on top and Roma tomato slices as the filling)